the spam problem

The idea occurred to me last night that to solve the spam problem, we could give up on email and instead print letters on paper and have them delivered via the post--and that this would constitute progress.

(no subject)

It's funny how things connect with coincidences--I was just looking up a bibliography of the works of Freeman Dyson and reading reviews of his books. Then I moved on to check the literary pulse of the country, as expressed in the New York Review of Books. And of course there I find the first review is written by Freeman Dyson.

My friend who is working in Zambia was prompted to write me a letter at the end of April when, after seeing another Peace Corps Volunteer with a self-made T-shirt bearing the text "RIP HST" was lead to read the Hunter S. Thompson retrospective in Rolling Stone, a copy of which had somehow made it to the bushlands of south/central Africa, and the article had apparently reminded of me—hence the aerogram, which, to post, required a two hour ride by chickenbus to the nearest municipality, and the postage for which required several weeks saving.

travellers' restlessness

Writing back to this friend in Zambia, I was inclined to mention how various people are "doing"--what is Kenny up to? and Ryan and Jeff and, well, everyone. But then I realized, of course, these people do not know each other. They are in isolated groups groups of friends from various episodes, long passed and probably never intersecting in any meaningful way.

It's "travellers' restlessness" as I call it—after travelling any bit, you'll be perpetually homesick for somewhere, someone. And these episodes in the depths of time— I do not know how to think of them. They cannot, like places, be returned to. I prefer the interpretation in the 1995 Yugoslavian film Underground.

Mosquito or Miskito

What came first, Mosquito or Miskito? The Mosquito of course is the blood-sucking insect, and the American Heritage Dictionary assures me that the word originates from the romance languages, sharing an etymology with "musket." On the other hand I am told that Miskito is the indigenous name for the locals of a certain carribean coastline. I'm finding it hard to believe that these Indians came up for themselves with the exact same name as the Europeans had for the insects which happen to infest the exact same territory, but I guess stranger things have happened.

icecicle antelope?

courtesy barks: